Steve and I started with just a mission statement: We wanted to help students become critical thinkers and problem solvers.We went full time working on our ideas in June and a month later moved to New York and started working on Coding Space. Our goal is to create an amazing after school program where middle and high school students to learn to code while developing critical thinking and problem solving skills.Since moving, we’ve partnered with the 92Y and helped them run their computer science summer camp. We’ve also partnered with 5 all girls public schools through the Young Women’s Leadership Network to help them bring high quality computer science education to their schools.We’re now launching our own classes for this Fall in Manhattan.We are creating a unique learning environment where students are extremely engaged and challenged as they work on projects and learn both tough theoretical concepts as well as extremely practical, hands on skills.While many schools and teachers have experimented with (and proven the efficacy of) project based learning, it’s still a somewhat new and unused concept. By allowing our students to work on projects they’re passionate about, we believe we’ll be able to create a place where kids not only learn to code, but also develop critical thinking skills that help them excel in all areas of their life.Our students won’t be following tutorials, they’ll be the ones making them.

Given that we want to work with a small number of students and really nail down our process, we decided to open an application for students to sign up.This is where I could use your help: I’d love to hear your thoughts on our ideas, our approach, and any suggestions on how to make the best learning environment possible for our kids. It would also be super helpful if you could share our information with any friends or family you know in the area. If you know any students who you think might be a really good fit for the program, feel free to pass this information along to their parents!I couldn’t be more excited with the direction we’re going, and I’m so thankful for all of the support my friends and family have given to be able to get to this point.I’m more excited than ever for the impact we’ll be able to make on our students lives. It drives us every day.